Smoke on!

Hi all,
This is my new build, this time of a modern jet, the Airfix BAe Hawk scale 1/48. I always liked aerobatic team because they represent to me some essential aspects of flight: dedication and technique to the highest degree, beauty and daring. In addition, the usually spotless finish of their airplanes represents for me a modelling challenge.

The pictures below refer to a model of a FIAT G 91 that I built in my previous life as a modeler, probably more that 30 years ago with the livery of the Italian National Team, the Frecce Tricolori. The kit was at that time a newly issued ESCI 1/48, with raised lines and was all rigorously painted by brush.




Although I like most building old planes, I recently started the Airfix kit of the Hawk attracted by the livery of the Red Arrows and by the captivating lines of this airplane. The model is overall quite OK, but it has few shortcomings. The shape of the air intakes is not well represented, the cockpit interiors are not useable and wheel wells that are strangely not deep enough. There are also other minor issues like the shape of the dorsal part and the exhaust area that need some improvements. I decided to ignore the wheel wells issue to keep the duration of the build within reasonable limits.

I replaced the air intakes with resin parts by Two Mikes. These parts are very nicely shaped with thin lips and once installed they change subtly, but essentially the aspect of the airplane giving to it more realistic lines.



I reshaped the nose and removed the moulded-in pitot tube and added a new smaller one once the sanding on the nose was concluded.



I also tried to improve the lines of the dorsal part and opened all the air intakes and exhausts. I also removed the two grilles that had a fantasy design and plugged in their place two photo etched more realistic grilles previously glued on rectangular plugs.



Instead of the kit bang seats, I bought resin ones and refurnished the cockpit. I will keep the canopy closed, so I did not spent too much effort in detailing the inside.



I tried also to improve the tailpipe area and prepare it for the addition of the three small pipes that discharge the coloured fumes in the gases of the jet.



Now I will be busy for a while with the smoothing of the seams and the surface preparation.

This is all for the moment, as usual comments and critiques are welcome.
Greetings from Holland,
Daniele